1
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Vu HP, Kuzhiumparambil U, Cai Z, Wang Q, Ralph PJ, Nghiem LD. Enhanced biomethane production from Scenedesmus sp. using polymer harvesting and expired COVID-19 disinfectant for pretreatment. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 356:141869. [PMID: 38575081 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
This study evaluates the repurposing of expired isopropanol (IPA) COVID-19 disinfectant (64% w/w) to pretreat algal biomass for enhancing methane (CH4) yield. The impact of harvesting methods (centrifugation and polymer flocculation) and microwave pretreatment on CH4 production from Scenedesmus sp. microalgal biomass were also investigated. Results show minimal impact of harvesting methods on the CH4 yield, with wet centrifuged and polymer-harvested biomass exhibiting comparable and low CH4 production at 66 and 74 L/kgvolatile solid, respectively. However, microalgae drying significantly increased CH4 yield compared to wet biomass, attributed to cell shrinkage and enhanced digestibility. Consequently, microwave and IPA pretreatment significantly enhanced CH4 production when applied to dried microalgae, yielding a 135% and 212% increase, respectively, compared to non-pretreated wet biomass. These findings underscore the advantage of using dried Scenedesmus sp. over wet biomass and highlight the synergistic effect of combining oven drying with IPA treatment to boost CH4 production whilst reducing COVID-19 waste.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang P Vu
- Center for Technology in Water and Wastewater, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia.
| | | | - Zhengqing Cai
- National Engineering Research Center of Industrial Wastewater Detoxication and Resource Recovery, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China.
| | - Qilin Wang
- Center for Technology in Water and Wastewater, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia.
| | - Peter J Ralph
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia.
| | - Long D Nghiem
- Center for Technology in Water and Wastewater, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia.
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2
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Rocha ME, Lazarino TC, Oliveira G, Teixeira L, Marques M, Mangiavacchi N. Analysis of biogas production from sewage sludge combining BMP experimental assays and the ADM1 model. PeerJ 2024; 12:e16720. [PMID: 38239297 PMCID: PMC10795531 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The Anaerobic Digestion Model No. 1 (ADM1) was employed to simulate methane (CH4) production in an anaerobic reactor (AR), and the associated bench-scale biochemical methane potential (BMP) assay, having sewage sludge (SWS) from a municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) as feedstock. The SWS presented the following physical-chemical characteristics: pH (7.4-7.6), alkalinity (2,382 ± 100 mg CaCO3 L-1), tCOD (21,903 ± 1,000 mg L-1), TOC (895 ± 100 mg L-1), TS, TVS, and VSS (2.0%, 1.1%, and 0.8%, respectively). The BMP assay was conducted in six replicates under anaerobic mesophilic conditions (37 ± 0.1°C) for 11 days with a CH4 yield registered of 137.6 ± 6.39 NmL CH4 or 124 ± 6.72 CH4 g-1 VS-1. When the results obtained with the BMP bench-scale reactors were compared to the output generated with computational data by the ADM1 model having as input data the same initial sewage tCOD, similar cumulative CH4 production curves were obtained, indicating the accuracy of the ADM1 model. This approach allowed the characterization of the sludge and estimation of its biogas production potential. The combination of BMP assays, experimental data, and ADM1 model simulations provided a framework for studying anaerobic digestion (AD) processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Erthal Rocha
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Thais Carvalho Lazarino
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Oliveira
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Lia Teixeira
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Marcia Marques
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Norberto Mangiavacchi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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3
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Cao X, Yuan H, Tian Y. Anaerobic co-digestion of sewage sludge pretreated by thermal hydrolysis and food waste: gas production, dewatering performance, and community structure. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY 2024; 45:612-623. [PMID: 36006404 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2022.2118083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Anaerobic co-digestion can effectively break the limitations of mono-digestion. However, there are still some problems such as long residence time, unsatisfactory methane yield, and unstable performance for co-digestion of sewage sludge (SS) and food waste (FW). Therefore, the SS in the reactor treating co-digestion of SS and FW is considered to be pretreated by thermal hydrolysis. In this work, the anaerobic co-digestion of SS of thermal hydrolysis pretreatment (THP) and FW significantly improved the stability, methane production of the digestive reactor, and dewaterability of the digested sludge. The R6 obtained the most cumulative methane production (315.76 mL/g VS). In addition, compared to R3, the cumulative methane production and maximum methane production rate of R5 increased by 9.93% and 14.56%, respectively. The dewaterability of R4, R5, and R6 was improved, while the dewatering performance of the R3 decreased to a greater extent. The results of the kinetic model fitting were consistent with the experimental results. Among them, the hydrolysis constants (Kh) of anaerobic co-digestion of THP-SS and FW were 0.121, 0.130, and 0.114 d-1, respectively, which were higher than those of other groups. And the estimated lag time (λ) of co-digestion was also lower than that of mono-digestion groups. Microbial community analysis indicated that the bacterial diversity and richness of anaerobic co-digested groups of THP-SS and FW were enhanced, while the methanogens with acetoclastic pathway became the main methanogenic microorganisms. This work provides essential information on anaerobic co-digestion containing different THP-SS contents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuqin Cao
- School of Environment and Energy Engineering, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Urban Stormwater System and Water Environment, Ministry of Education, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Haoyun Yuan
- School of Environment and Energy Engineering, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuqing Tian
- School of Environment and Energy Engineering, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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4
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Werkneh AA. Biogas impurities: environmental and health implications, removal technologies and future perspectives. Heliyon 2022; 8:e10929. [PMID: 36299513 PMCID: PMC9589174 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Biogas is a promising bioenergy alternative to be recovered from waste/wastewater in the context of environmental sustainability and circular economy. However, raw biogas contains various secondary impurities such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, siloxanes, nitrogen oxides (NOx), ammonia, and halogens. Depending on the emission rate of these biogas impurities, the importance of biogas is being hampered for its environmental, health and the detrimental effects possess by the impurities towards the downstream of the biogas users. Biogas impurities can cause different public health concerns (like pulmonary paralysis, asthma, respiratory diseases and deaths) and environmental impacts (such as global warming, climate change and their indirect impacts like drought, flooding, malnutrition and other disasters). The absence/inconsistent emission standards among countries, agencies, and other stakeholders is the other challenge that they possess during monitoring and controlling of these impurities. Different commercially available and emerging technologies are available for separating carbon dioxide (via biogas upgrading) and removing other biogas impurities. Technologies such as pressure swing adsorption, membrane separation, absorption-based techniques (water, chemical and physical organic solvents), cryogenic separation, and other emerging biotechnological platforms (like photobioreactor and biocatalysis) have been adopted in removing the impurities. This paper reviewed the main commercially available and new technologies and their performance in removing carbon dioxide (the main constituent of biogas) and other biogas impurities. Besides, the environmental and public health implications of biogas and future research perspectives are also highlighted.
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5
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Ijoma GN, Mutungwazi A, Mannie T, Nurmahomed W, Matambo TS, Hildebrandt D. Addressing the water-energy nexus: a focus on the barriers and potentials of harnessing wastewater treatment processes for biogas production in Sub Saharan Africa. Heliyon 2022; 8:e09385. [PMID: 35600457 PMCID: PMC9118499 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Several anthropogenic activities reduce the supply of freshwater to living organisms in all ecological systems, particularly the human population. Organic matter in derived wastewater can be converted into potential energy, such as biogas (methane), through microbial transformation during anaerobic digestion (AD). To address the current lack of data and values for wastewater generation in Sub-Saharan Africa, this review analyzes and estimates (at 50% and 90% conversion rates) the potential amount of wastewater-related sludge that can be generated from domestic freshwater withdrawals using the most recent update in 2017 from the World Bank repository and database on freshwater status in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) could potentially produce the highest estimate of biogas in Sub-Saharan Africa from domestic wastewater sludge of approximately 90 billion m3, which could be converted to 178 million MWh of electricity annually, based on this extrapolation at 50% conversion rates. Using same conversion rates estimates, at least nine other countries, including Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Gabon, and Congo Republic, could potentially produce biogas in the range of 1–20 billion m3. These estimates show how much energy could be extracted from wastewater treatment plants in Sub-Saharan Africa. AD process to produce biogas and energy harvesting are essential supplementary operations for Sub-Saharan African wastewater treatment plants. This approach could potentially solve the problem of data scarcity because these values for Freshwater withdrawals are readily available in the database could be used for estimation and projections towards infrastructure development and energy production planning. The review also highlights the possibilities for energy generation from wastewater treatment facilities towards wastewater management, clean energy, water, and sanitation sustainability, demonstrating the interconnections and actualization of the various related UN Sustainable Development Goals.
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6
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Li C, Le-Minh N, McDonald JA, Kinsela AS, Fisher RM, Liu D, Stuetz RM. Occurrence and risk assessment of trace organic contaminants and metals in anaerobically co-digested sludge. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 816:151533. [PMID: 34762955 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Anaerobic co-digestion of sludge increases biogas production and maintains anaerobic digestion stability. However, it is unclear whether the addition of co-substrates may increase the concentration of trace organic contaminants (TrOCs) and metals, limiting potential resource recovery opportunities when applied to agricultural land. This study explored the occurrence of 20 TrOCs and 18 metals in wastewater sludge anaerobically co-digested with beverage rejects (cola, beer and juice) and food wastes. TrOCs results showed that cola reject caused an accumulation of caffeine in final digestate. Bisphenol A also significantly increased in food waste co-digestion when compared with the mono-digestion (control). No significant difference in TrOCs was observed in the juice reject co-digestion. Analysis of the metal composition revealed a significant increase in Cr and Al in juice reject co-digested sludge. While restaurant food waste increased concentrations of K and Ca, both of which may be beneficial when applied to land. All metals in this study were below the maximum permissible concentrations specified for agricultural land use in Australia. Environmental risk assessment of sludge when used as soil fertiliser, showed that caffeine, diuron, triclocarban, triclosan, Cu and Zn exhibited high risks, with the largest risk quotient (RQ) posed by caffeine. Estrone and naproxen implied medium risks, and ibuprofen implied a high risk except for the co-digestion using cola reject (RQ = 0.9, medium risk). The results emphasise the importance for wastewater utility operators to understand the impact of co-substrate selection on the quality of sludge to minimise environmental risk from the use of biosolids on agricultural land.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changwei Li
- School of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; UNSW Water Research Centre, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; Institute of Agricultural Bio-Environmental Engineering, College of Biosystems Engineering and Food Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Nhat Le-Minh
- UNSW Water Research Centre, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - James A McDonald
- UNSW Water Research Centre, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Andrew S Kinsela
- UNSW Water Research Centre, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Ruth M Fisher
- UNSW Water Research Centre, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Dezhao Liu
- Institute of Agricultural Bio-Environmental Engineering, College of Biosystems Engineering and Food Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| | - Richard M Stuetz
- UNSW Water Research Centre, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
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7
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Zhou H, Jiang J, Zhao Q, Li L, Wang K, Wei L. Effects of organic loading rates on high-solids anaerobic digestion of food waste in horizontal flow reactor: Methane production, stability and mechanism. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 293:133650. [PMID: 35063566 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.133650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
To maximize the methane production efficiency of high-solids anaerobic digestion (HSAD) of food waste (FW), a horizontal flow reactor was operated under mesophilic, semi-continuous condition at organic loading rates (OLRs) ranging from 1.00 to 13.80 kg-VS/(m3 d). The gas production, substrate transformation, and microbial community characteristics of the horizontal flow HSAD reactor were evaluated. The results indicated that the methane yield (0.173-0.516 L/(g d)) fluctuated with the increasing OLR, volumetric methane production rate (0.25-5.69 L/(L d)) increased with increasing OLR, and the volatile solids (VS) reduction rate ranged between 83.30% and 93.05%. The relationship of biogas or methane production with OLR and HRT in the horizontal flow HSAD reactor were characterized with an empirical equation. The concentrations of soluble COD and volatile fatty acid exhibited significant fluctuations, and free ammonia-nitrogen peaked at the OLR of 13.80 kg-VS/(m3 d). Microbial community analysis revealed that the methanogenic metabolic pathway changes along the propelling direction of the horizontal flow HSAD reactor from CH3COOH and H2/CO2 pathways to CH3COOH, H2/CO2, and H2/methyl co-dominant pathways. These results provide theoretical support for stable methane production from FW and deeper insight into horizontal flow HSAD for FW treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huimin Zhou
- School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, China
| | - Junqiu Jiang
- School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, China.
| | - Qingliang Zhao
- School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, China; State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resources and Environments (SKLUWRE), Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, China.
| | - Lili Li
- School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, China
| | - Kun Wang
- School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, China
| | - Liangliang Wei
- School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, China; State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resources and Environments (SKLUWRE), Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, China
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8
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Nguyen LN, Vu MT, Abu Hasan Johir M, Pernice M, Ngo HH, Zdarta J, Jesionowski T, Nghiem LD. Promotion of direct interspecies electron transfer and potential impact of conductive materials in anaerobic digestion and its downstream processing - a critical review. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2021; 341:125847. [PMID: 34467893 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.125847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Addition of conductive materials (CMs) has been reported to facilitate direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) and improved anaerobic digestion (AD) performance. This review summarises the benefits and outlines remaining research challenges of the addition of CMs with a focus on the downstream processing of AD. CM addition may alter biogas quality, digestate dewaterability, biosolids volume, and centrate quality. Better biogas quality has been observed due to the adsorption of H2S to metallic CMs. The addition of CMs results in an increase in solid content of the digestate and thus an additional requirement for sludge dewatering and handling and the final biosolids volume for disposal. This review highlights the need for more research at pilot scale to validate the benefits of CM addition and to evaluate CM selection, doses, material costs, and the impact on downstream processes. The lack of research on the impact of CMs on the downstream process of AD is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luong N Nguyen
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2220, Australia.
| | - Minh T Vu
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2220, Australia
| | - Md Abu Hasan Johir
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2220, Australia
| | - Mathieu Pernice
- Climate Change Cluster (C3), University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Hao H Ngo
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2220, Australia
| | - Jakub Zdarta
- Institute of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Faculty of Chemical Technology, Poznan University of Technology, Berdychowo 4, PL-60965, Poznan, Poland
| | - Teofil Jesionowski
- Institute of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Faculty of Chemical Technology, Poznan University of Technology, Berdychowo 4, PL-60965, Poznan, Poland
| | - Long D Nghiem
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2220, Australia
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9
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Vu MT, Nguyen LN, Hasan Johir MA, Zhang X, Nghiem LD, Elimelech M. Biogas sparging to control fouling and enhance resource recovery from anaerobically digested sludge centrate by forward osmosis. J Memb Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2021.119176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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10
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Nguyen LN, Kumar J, Vu MT, Mohammed JAH, Pathak N, Commault AS, Sutherland D, Zdarta J, Tyagi VK, Nghiem LD. Biomethane production from anaerobic co-digestion at wastewater treatment plants: A critical review on development and innovations in biogas upgrading techniques. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 765:142753. [PMID: 33121765 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Anaerobic co-digestion (AcoD) can utilise spare digestion capacity at existing wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) to generate surplus biogas beyond the plant's internal energy requirement. Data from industry reports and the peer-reviewed literature show that through AcoD, numerous examples of WWTPs have become net energy producers, necessitating other high-value applications for surplus biogas. A globally emerging trend is to upgrade biogas to biomethane, which can then be used as town gas or transport fuel. Water, organic solvent and chemical scrubbing, pressure swing adsorption, membrane separation, and cryogenic technology are commercially available CO2 removal technologies for biogas upgrade. Although water scrubbing is currently the most widely applied technology due to low capital and operation cost, significant market growth in membrane separation has been seen over the 2015-2019 period. Further progress in materials engineering and sciences is expected and will further enhance the membrane separation competitiveness for biogas upgrading. Several emerging biotechnologies to i) improve biogas quality from AcoD; ii) accelerate the absorption rate, and iii) captures CO2 in microalgal culture have also been examined and discussed in this review. Through a combination of AcoD and biogas upgrade, more WWTPs are expected to become net energy producers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luong N Nguyen
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2220, Australia.
| | - Jeevan Kumar
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2220, Australia
| | - Minh T Vu
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2220, Australia
| | - Johir A H Mohammed
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2220, Australia
| | - Nirenkumar Pathak
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2220, Australia
| | - Audrey S Commault
- Climate Change Cluster (C3), University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Donna Sutherland
- Climate Change Cluster (C3), University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Jakub Zdarta
- Institute of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Faculty of Chemical Technology, Poznan University of Technology, Berdychowo 4, PL-60965 Poznan, Poland
| | - Vinay Kumar Tyagi
- Environmental Biotechnology Group (EBiTG), Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, 247887, India
| | - Long D Nghiem
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2220, Australia; NTT Institute of Hi-Technology, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
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11
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Characterization of Sewage Sludge and Food Waste-Based Biochar for Co-Firing in a Coal-Fired Power Plant: A Case Study in Korea. SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su12229411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Biomass co-firing in coal-fired power plants has been widely accepted to reduce the environmental burden. In this study, food waste (FW) and sewage sludge (SS), which are the main types of municipal organic waste, were selected as solid refuse fuel (SRF). To compensate for the limitations of FW and SS, a mixture of FW and SS with varying ratios was processed using pyrolysis and desalination. The fuel properties such as the calorific value, chlorine content, alkali and alkaline earth metallic species (AAEMs) content, and heavy metal content were determined. The calorific values of all biochars were greater than 12.6 MJ/kg, which satisfies the national threshold of Bio-SRF in Korea. Chlorine and AAEMs contents exhibited clear trends for the FW ratio and pyrolysis temperature. Increasing concentrations of heavy metals were observed with increasing SS ratio and pyrolysis temperature. These results provide important insights into the practical application of municipal waste-based biochar in coal-fired plants, as well as the influence of mixing ratio and pyrolysis temperature.
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12
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Xie S, Li X, Wang C, Kulandaivelu J, Jiang G. Enhanced anaerobic digestion of primary sludge with additives: Performance and mechanisms. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2020; 316:123970. [PMID: 32791460 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.123970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Anaerobic digestion of primary sludge with different additives, namely nano magnetite, graphite powder, activated carbon powder and NiCl2/CoCl2, were evaluated by biomethane potential tests, kinetics modelling and microbial community analysis. Specific methane yields increased from 136 mL/g VS for primary sludge to 146 mL/g VS, 151 mL/g VS, and 152 mL/g VS for the addition of nano magnetite, graphite powder, and activated carbon powder at optimal dosages, respectively. The first order hydrolysis constant kh increased from 0.488 d-1 to 0.526 d-1, 0.622 d-1, and 0.724 d-1, respectively. Microbial community analysis revealed that the abundance of key bacterial and archaeal populations was positively correlated with hydrolysis and methane production. The enhanced methane production with activated carbon powder was due to shifting methane formation pathway from acetoclastic to hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis. In contrast, nano magnetite and graphite powder additives enhanced the direct interspecies electron transfer evidenced by increased abundance of Methanosaeta and Methanolinea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sihuang Xie
- School of Civil, Mining and Environmental Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Xuan Li
- School of Civil, Mining and Environmental Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Chengduan Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University of Arts and Science, Sichuan, China
| | | | - Guangming Jiang
- School of Civil, Mining and Environmental Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
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13
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Matsuda S, Yamato T, Mochizuki Y, Sekiguchi Y, Ohtsuki T. Batch-Mode Analysis of Thermophilic Methanogenic Microbial Community Changes in the Overacidification Stage in Beverage Waste Treatment. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E7514. [PMID: 33076472 PMCID: PMC7602568 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17207514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Biogasification by methane fermentation is an important and effective way to utilize beverage wastes. Beverage wastes are good feedstocks for methane fermentation because of their richness in sugars and proteins, although overacidification and inhibition of methane production caused by high substrate loading often become problematic. This study investigated changes in microbial communities in the overacidification state of the thermophilic methane fermentation process with beverage waste by establishing a simulated batch culture. We assessed 20 mL-scale batch cultures using a simulant beverage waste mixture (SBWM) with different amounts of addition; high cumulative methane production was achieved by adding 5 mL of SBWM (11358 mg-chemical oxygen demand-COD/L of organic loading), and overacidification was observed by adding 10 mL of SBWM (22715 mg-COD/L of organic loading). The results of 16S rRNA amplicon sequence analysis using nanopore sequencer suggested that Coprothermobacter proteolyticus, Defluviitoga tunisiensis, Acetomicrobium mobile, and Thermosediminibacter oceani were predominantly involved in hydrolysis/acidogenesis/acetogenesis processes, whereas Methanothrix soehngenii was the major acetotrophic methane producer. A comparison of microbial population between the methane-producing cultures and overacidification cultures revealed characteristic population changes especially in some minor species under 0.2% of population. We concluded that careful monitoring of population changes of the minor species is a potential indicator for prediction of overacidification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuhei Matsuda
- Graduate School of Medicine, Engineering and Agricultural Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan; (S.M.); (T.Y.)
| | - Takahiro Yamato
- Graduate School of Medicine, Engineering and Agricultural Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan; (S.M.); (T.Y.)
| | | | | | - Takashi Ohtsuki
- Graduate School of Medicine, Engineering and Agricultural Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan; (S.M.); (T.Y.)
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14
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Truong MV, Nguyen LN, Li K, Fu Q, Johir MAH, Fontana A, Nghiem LD. Biomethane production from anaerobic co-digestion and steel-making slag: A new waste-to-resource pathway. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 738:139764. [PMID: 32526419 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
A proof of concept of using steel-making slag to upgrade biogas to biomethane is demonstrated in this study. Biogas is generated from the anaerobic co-digestion of sewage sludge and beverage waste. The CO2 capture capacity of an alkaline liquor derived from the release of calcium from the steel-making slag is comparable to that of the commercial adsorbent monoethanolamine. Although only 5% of Ca in the steel-making slag was released to the alkaline liquor, 1 ton of steel-making slag could be capable of upgrading 10 m3 of biogas to over 90% methane content. The results also show that pH can be used as a surrogate parameter to monitor and control biogas upgrading. Further research to improve the release of calcium is essential for the acceleration of the weathering process of steel-making slag for subsequent construction applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minh V Truong
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2220, Australia
| | - Luong N Nguyen
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2220, Australia
| | - Kangkang Li
- CSIRO Energy, 10 Murray Dwyer Circuit, Mayfield West, NSW 2304, Australia
| | - Qiang Fu
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2220, Australia
| | - Md Abu Hasan Johir
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2220, Australia
| | - Andrea Fontana
- InfraBuild, 105-123 Dohertys Road, Laverton, Victoria 3026, Australia
| | - Long D Nghiem
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2220, Australia; NTT Institute of Hi-Technology, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam.
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15
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Huang C, Xiong L, Guo HJ, Li HL, Wang C, Chen XF, Zhao C, Chen XD. Anaerobic digestion of elephant grass hydrolysate: Biogas production, substrate metabolism and outlet effluent treatment. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2019; 283:191-197. [PMID: 30908983 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2019.03.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/16/2019] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) acid hydrolysate was used as substrate for anaerobic digestion for the first time. Within short period (ten days), the organic materials (sugars and organic acids) in the elephant grass hydrolysate could be utilized efficiently for stable biogas production that the COD removal, biogas yield, and CH4 content were 91.3 ± 2.0%, 0.561 ± 0.014 m3/kg COD consumption, and 68.1 ± 4.6%, respectively throughout this bioprocess. During anaerobic digestion, almost no volatile fatty acids (VFAs) was accumulated (merely <0.1 g/L acetic acid was found) and the outlet pH was very stable (7.3 ± 0.1). Meanwhile, the furans including furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) existing in the inlet substrate could be degraded. After anaerobic digestion, the outlet effluent was treated by combination of Fe-C micro-electrolysis and Fenton reaction to remove 93.1% of residual COD and 98.6% of color. Considering the performance, cost, operation, and environmental influence, this technology is suitable for industrial treatment of waste elephant grass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Huang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Renewable Energy, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New and Renewable Energy Research and Development, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; R&D Center of Xuyi Attapulgite Applied Technology, Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xuyi 211700, PR China
| | - Lian Xiong
- CAS Key Laboratory of Renewable Energy, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New and Renewable Energy Research and Development, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; R&D Center of Xuyi Attapulgite Applied Technology, Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xuyi 211700, PR China
| | - Hai-Jun Guo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Renewable Energy, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New and Renewable Energy Research and Development, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; R&D Center of Xuyi Attapulgite Applied Technology, Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xuyi 211700, PR China
| | - Hai-Long Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Renewable Energy, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New and Renewable Energy Research and Development, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; R&D Center of Xuyi Attapulgite Applied Technology, Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xuyi 211700, PR China
| | - Can Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Renewable Energy, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New and Renewable Energy Research and Development, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; R&D Center of Xuyi Attapulgite Applied Technology, Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xuyi 211700, PR China
| | - Xue-Fang Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Renewable Energy, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New and Renewable Energy Research and Development, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; R&D Center of Xuyi Attapulgite Applied Technology, Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xuyi 211700, PR China
| | - Cheng Zhao
- Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Xin-De Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Renewable Energy, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New and Renewable Energy Research and Development, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; R&D Center of Xuyi Attapulgite Applied Technology, Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xuyi 211700, PR China.
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16
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A Review of the Role of Critical Parameters in the Design and Operation of Biogas Production Plants. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/app9091915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Many operating parameters, individually or together, may influence the performance of anaerobic digestion towards biogas or digestate yield and quality maximization. The most preferred method of optimizing an anaerobic digestion plant often relies on how carefully the crucial parameters, such as pH, temperature, organic loading rate, hydraulic retention time, and pressure, are chosen. There is a large amount of literature available on optimization of anaerobic digestion; however, given the continued development and implementation of innovative technologies, together with the introduction of increasingly complex systems, it is necessary to update present knowledge on process parameters and their role on operational ranges and flexibilities in real-life anaerobic digestion system. Accordingly, the present review discusses the importance of the selection of operational parameters in existing technologies and their impact on biogas yield. Notably, the four broad areas of feedstock utilization (substrate, inoculum, codigestion and pretreatment), process condition (pH, temperature, pressure, and reactor design), reactor control (HRT and OLR) and inhibition (Ammonia and VFAs) are covered in this review. In addition, particular emphasis is placed on the most recent innovations that have been or may be implemented in current or future biogas plants.
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